We arrived on a blustery day with the wind against the current, tough conditions for snagging the mooring ball pennant but, Sue got it on the first try without any problem. (We watched a trawler coming in later in the day that spent 45minutes finally getting properly attached). We like the north mooring field because it is closest to the marina, a short dinghy ride but, in northeast winds it is a bumpy and wet ride. Fortunately, we only had one day of strong NE winds.
Rivah is ready to hit the shore even though it was only a couple day trip down from St Mary's.
We decided to have breakfast at St Mary's before departing for St Augustine which meant we couldn't make it in one day so we anchored just off the ICW about halfway. Was a quiet night and easy transit with the current behind us to St Augustine.
Walking Rivah down by the San Marcos fort. Nice sunny day but the temperature is only in the 50s in the afternoon.
Stopping by the brewery on St George's Street. Sue also got some jalapeno popcorn on the strip but we passed on the Nation's Second Best pizza at $9 a slice (it is a big slice but...).
We were able to watch Johnathon's son Crewe race on Thursday BMX race night. He finished 2nd in each of his races. A future star??
Sue walked out to Aldi's for groceries (7 mile hike) and stopped by the Big Red Bus to donate blood along the way.
"I could live on that one," Sue told me. Not sure where we would dock the 70footer.
Soon it was time to push on further south for our reservations in New Smyrna. It will be a few degrees warmer there than St Augustine but, this is definitely not Florida weather. Running 35-40deg at night, which is a bit chilly when on a mooring ball with no heat. Fortunately the sunny skies lets the enclosed cockpit heat up some.
Heading south through the Bridge of Lions on another sunny day. Its a 2 day transit to New Smyrna, so we waited till mid-morning so the cockpit would heat up some. We'll spend the night at anchor around Daytona Beach. Supposed to be another cold night with temps in high 30s.
This guy didn't make it safely through the Mantanzas shoals. Not clear what the problem was as the channel is clearly marked - and, he's not in the channel. I wonder if he dragged at anchor upstream and the current brought the boat to this spot??
We anchored just north of the northern Daytona Beach bridges. Was a quiet night until the north wind came up at 3am, blowing against the incoming tide which set up sharp waves banging against the hull. Conditions eased by 6am when the current shifted and the wind came down some, but it was a restless 3hrs listening to all the noises from the anchor chain, rigging lines, dinghy in the water, etc - and not wanting to get out of the warm bed in 30 deg weather to check anything out.
Sue, experimenting with her Google phone night shots.
Through the George Munson bridge and approaching the marina at New Smyrna.
Finally at New Smyrna where we will stay in the marina for the month of February - plugged into shore power for heat thankfully as its forecasted to be 28deg this Sun and Mon mornings - but, at least we're not getting snow here. As long as the sun is out we'll be walking the bridges and enjoying the 50-60deg weather in the afternoons.
